Koffee Grinder to be short price in Stellar's Jay

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The $75,000 B.C. Cup Classic is the headliner for the B.C. Cup card that features six stakes races for British Columbia-breds at Hastings on Monday.

However, the $50,000 B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay for 3-year-olds has broader implications as a race that serves as a major steppingstone toward the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 21.

The leader of the local 3-year-old division is Koffee Grinder, who figures to be favored in the 1 1/16-mile Stellar’s Jay, which drew eight horses.

Trained by Craig MacPherson, Koffee Grinder was impressive when he won the $50,000 Chris Loseth in his first try at a middle distance. He did have a minor setback when a puss pocket was discovered in one of his front feet, but MacPherson is pleased with how he is coming into the Stellar’s Jay.

“He responded well to treatment, and everything seems to be perfect heading into the race,” MacPherson said.

:: British Columbia Cup Day: Get PPs, watch Monday's card live

STELLAR’S JAY (RACE 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Koffee Grinder (Last 3 Beyers: 82-72-79)

* He hasn’t lost in three starts this year, and he has enough tactical speed that he should be able to work out a stalking trip with Rico Walcott picking up the mount from the suspended Richard Hamel.

* Formulator Fact: Since 2010, Walcott, the leading rider at Northlands Park, has won with three of his six mounts for MacPherson.

Slice of Red (Last 3 Beyers: 70-74-68)

* Out of the sensational Regal Red, Slice of Red rebounded from an indifferent effort in the $50,000 Coca-Cola at Emerald Downs with a win over stakes winner Aspen Getaway in a first-level allowance race here July 12.

Off the Top (Last 3 Beyers: 76-68-56)

* A slow learner, Off the Top is coming off a rallying second behind Koffee Grinder in the Chris Loseth.

* Slice of Red and Off the Top are both trained by Robbie Anderson, who had this to say about them: “They are both nice horses, but I would have to give a slight edge to Slice of Red right now.”

DOGWOOD (RACE 4)

Arabella’s Muse is going to be tough to beat in this 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, which drew eight horses. Trainer Mike Anderson said she came out of her win in the $50,000 Supernaturel in excellent shape, and she figures to move forward in her second route attempt.

Ole’s Miss, second in the Supernaturel, came back to win the $50,000 Kent Handicap at Emerald Downs on July 19.

KEY CONTENDERS

Arabella's Muse (Last 3 Beyers: 82-76-64)

* Following her win in the Supernaturel, she came back with a sharp five-furlong move in 59.20 seconds with Frank Fuentes aboard July 27. “Perfect,” Anderson said following the work.

Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Anderson has won with 25 percent of his horses going a route of ground the second time.

Dawselina (Last 3 Beyers: 76-80-75)

* Stretching out for the first time, she held on well to finish fourth after leading for the first quarter-mile before backing off into a stalking position.

* Leading rider Amadeo Perez picks up the mount and likely will be more aggressive if she breaks on top again.

Irish Lyric (Last 3 Beyers: 70-44-50)

* An improving longshot, she came from a stalking position when she blew away $16,000 claimers in her first route attempt July 12.

Also on the card:

* The card begins with the $50,000 Nursery for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The three-horse Troy Taylor-trained entry of Exclusively, Banderillero, and Cederberg will be heavily favored to win the 6 1/2-furlong race, which drew eight horses.

Taylor said he was leaning toward Exclusively. The son of Forest Grove owns the best Beyer Speed Figure in the field and could be gone if he breaks on top from the inside post position.

* Wando Woman will be favored to win the 1 1/8-mile, $50,000 Distaff but could be vulnerable with her late-running style. The Cindy Krasner trainee rallied from last to lose by a neck to Madeira Park in the $50,000 Monashee in her last start.

Pretty Reckless has good tactical speed and could pull off an upset with Mario Gutierrez riding. She is coming off a sharp win in her first route attempt in a conditional allowance race.

* Quatre Cat, Biscuit, and Finality’s Charmer look like the main players in the $50,000 Debutante for 2-year-old fillies. Quatre Cat gets a slight nod due to her being able to overcome adversity when she won her debut in a two-turn sprint for trainer Sylvea Gregory.